Hopper is a Blue!

Chris Powell has added his second summer signing with the arrival of striker Tom Hopper on a free transfer.

Hopper, who has spent the last three years at Scunthorpe United, has agreed to join Blues on a three-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months, on the 1st July.

The 24-year-old played a part for the opposition in Chris Powell’s first Blues game when he opened the scoring for the Iron.

In total, Hopper sored nine goals in 47 appearances last season at Glanford Park, but he is now looking forward to a fresh challenge at Roots Hall

“I’m delighted,” he said. “It’s been a while in the pipeline; over the last couple of weeks conversations have been taking place so it’s nice to finally get down here and get it all sorted.

“The initial conversations with the manager [stood out]. He’s someone I’ve crossed paths with in the past, his ambitions are quite clear and he sold that to me.

“He wants people here that want to be successful and want to push up this league and that’s something I want to be part of.”

On his goal for Scunthorpe in Powell’s first game for Blues, Hopper added: “Hopefully that’s a good omen and I’ll be scoring a few more down here.

“What he said was what I wanted to hear and hopefully that will continue to pay off and it will be a successful season.

“Sam Mantom was someone I spoke to a lot and he said he loved it here, working with the players and the manager. He didn’t have a bad word to say about the place and that coincided with the conversations I had with the manager.”

Blues boss Chris Powell was delighted to add Hopper to his striking options for the new season.

“Tom was a striker that I’ve long admired,” said Powell. “I’ve watched his career develop over the years.

“I came across him when I was a player/coach at Leicester, but he was a young player learning his trade.

“He has good mobility, good size, he’s athletic, will get in behind but will also link the play up and will challenge.

“He scored in my very first game as Southend manager so hopefully he’s got a taste of scoring goals at Roots Hall, but I think he will be a good addition.

“He’s at a good age where he will keep on learning as a player and I think the best is yet to come.”